Visa and Residence

In general, all non-EU and non–EFTA nationals need a visa to enter Germany. No visa is required for EU and EFTA nationals and nationals of those countries for which the European Community has waived the visa requirement, such as Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the USA, Japan, Korea, and Israel.

Up-to-date information on visa regulations can be found on the website of the German Federal Foreign Office. Further information on whether a visa is required and, if so, what type of visa, can be obtained from the German embassy or consulate in your home country. Do not enter Germany on a tourist visa because it cannot be changed to a work residence permit or a reseacher's residence permit

Please contact the German embassy or consulate well in advance to clarify the applicable regulations and to find out approximate visa application processing times.

Residence permit

A visa is an entry permit only, valid up to 3 months at most, and does not replace a residence permit. You must apply for the so called electronic title of residence (eAT) and register with the Local Office of Registration/Foreigners' Registration Office in charge within the first week upon arrival. This applies also to accompanying family members and partners. Even foreign researchers who do not need a visa must apply for a residence permit and have their place of residence in Lüneburg registered.

The following documents are required for the eAT application:

• Official invitation or any similar document issued by Leuphana University
• Passport (or personal identity card)
• 1 biometric passport-size photo
• Proof of health insurance coverage in Germany
• Statement regarding financial means to cover living expenses
• Visa (if applicable)

Bürgeramt (Ausländerbehörde) Lüneburg
Bardowicker Straße 23
D-21335 Lüneburg
Phone: +49.4131.3093252
termin-abh@stadt-lueneburg.de

NO walk-ins. Making an appointment is mandatory.

Work permit

Foreign researchers at a German university or any recognised research institute do not need a work permit if an affiliation agreement with the university has been signed and a residence permit according to §20 has been granted. (German Reseachers' Guideline).

However, accompanying family members or partners who seek employment in Germany must apply for a work permit at the Lüneburg Foreigners' Registration Office.

Finding adequate and affordable accommodation in Germany can be difficult, especially in a student town like Lüneburg. The housing market is particularly tight for furnished and temporary accommodation. Therefore, it is highly recommended to begin looking for accommodation as soon as possible.

Real estate agents as well as private landlords advertise their accommodation offers on web portals (in German only). Please note that real estate agents charge an agency fee, which usually corresponds to 2-3 monthly rents.

Portals: www.immoscout.de or www.immonet.de

Local newspaper: www.landeszeitung.de

Should you have questions or should any problems arise, you may contact Leuphana's Accommodation Service, which is mainly in charge of exchange students, but also assists visiting scholars where possible. E-mail